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Friday, January 6, 2012

The Digital Family-How Digital Technology Hurts the Family

barna.org

Technology
has become a part of modern life and is deeply embedded in today’s families.
Yet, the challenges brought on by technology in the home are not all created by
teens. Parents are becoming just as dependent on digital tools.

According
to a new report co-released by Barna Group and Orange, most Americans have welcomed digital technologieslike computers and smart phones into
their lives with open arms. In fact, most parents believe that, on balance,
technology has been a positive influence in their lives by making communication
more convenient.

Yet,
there is no question that technology has also increased conflict within
families. Parents complain that technology wastes time, creates diversions from
homework, allows students to maintain a private, exclusive relational life, and
distracts from family conversations.

Interestingly, the research pointed out that most parents are just as
dependent on digital tools; they use the Internet and mobile phones nearly as
much as their own children. Teenagers also complain about a double standard
with regard to technology, noting that their parents bring home too much work
and that it makes it hard to have conversations. Recent writing from Barna
Group founder, George Barna, raises the possibility that technology has become America’snew addiction.

TheBarna reportgives clues as to how church
communities can help families navigate the digital world by helping to
reimagine the role of sabbatical living (i.e., taking meaningful, consistent
breaks from technology) and by adding technology to discussions of stewardship.